Deputy Minister Calls for Stronger Action Against Smuggling Gangs
The deputy head of Poland’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration stressed the need for substantial criminal measures by the German side in response to migration challenges. He was asked how Berlin should react to ongoing pressures at the border and the broader migration situation.
According to the deputy minister, Scholz has not been aggressive enough in curbing illegal migration. He argued that the current movement was amplified by German policy rhetoric that invited migrants to come to Germany and created a sense of abundance of work there.
– the deputy head commented.
He noted that roughly 17 percent of illegal migrants work in Germany, with the remainder relying on German social benefits. This, he said, fuels radical attitudes inside Germany and calls for deeper, more Europe-wide responses led by Olaf Scholz.
– Wąsik emphasized.
Warring Gangs
He outlined a strategic approach that includes border protection, readmission of illegal migrants to their countries of origin, and reducing benefits for those who enter illegally so they do not earn more from unemployment schemes in Europe than at home.
The deputy minister highlighted the need to combat smuggling networks and drew on experiences from Belarus, where collusion exists between some Ukrainian and Belarusian services and couriers working for gangs. He noted that the bosses often hold residency rights in Germany and reach the Polish border to coordinate operations.
– he emphasized.
He reiterated the expectation that Germany would implement far-reaching criminal measures in this area.
The deputy head also commented on plans for a joint Polish-Czech-German task force aimed at preventing the movement of illegal migrants within the Schengen area and processing them in a cooperative framework.
These joint actions have been ongoing for days. He pointed out that the Balkan route, routed through the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland and ultimately leading to Germany, is better tackled through coordinated efforts than by isolated national actions.
– Wąsik emphasized.
False Data
Wąsik responded to a report by Gazeta Wyborcza claiming that from January to mid-September 2023, more than 30,000 refugees breached the barrier at the Belarus border, with about 13,000 of them arriving in Germany. He stated that such articles misrepresent the situation. The paper reported that 30,000 people crossed the dam, including 13,000 who reached Germany this year, but according to him the border system counts every approaching person and every attempted breach.
– the deputy head of the ministry said, adding that immediate actions are being taken as thousands of personnel are deployed, including soldiers, border guards, and police officers. He noted that the Border Patrol has recorded 22,000 attempts since it began, with the goal of crossing the barrier in view of a high-precision camera system and full dam coverage.
How could as many as 30,000 people pass? he asked. He stressed that every breach is documented by the surveillance system and that no part of the barrier is left unchecked.
Firewall Effectiveness
When asked about the barrier’s effectiveness, he explained that no physical barrier can be 100 percent fail-safe. Yet he asserted that a measurable portion remains in place to prevent breach while a multi-layered approach includes first, second, and third lines of defense.
– he emphasized. He recalled that visitors from dozens of countries come to Poland to study how the dam was built and how specific issues were resolved to enable similar solutions elsewhere.
He also mentioned ongoing actions against individuals who attempt to detain illegal migrants. This year, more than 500 couriers have been arrested.
He reminded that there is also a Belarusian border with Lithuania and Latvia that is not as tightly guarded as the Polish border. Since the Schengen area allows free movement between Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland, some routes could shift towards this corridor, demanding vigilance.
– the deputy head of the ministry observed. He also noted a Slovak route where Poland has intensified border patrols with Slovakia to curb illegal migration from Southern Europe, which often uses this path.
READ MORE: Border guards say Germany shapes migration routes largely based on the statements of foreigners, with around 13 thousand people reported. – PAP
Source: wPolityce